LAKE HAVASU CITY – A Georgia man has been convicted of slashing another commercial truck driver’s neck with a pocket knife during an argument at the Pilot Travel Center truck stop outside Lake Havasu City. A Mohave County Superior Court jury returned its verdict early Thursday after four hours of deliberation that began Wednesday afternoon.
The panel found Quan Arline, 56, guilty of attempted second degree murder for the Feb. 4 incident. The jury rejected the self-defense claim asserted by Legal Defender Ron Gilleo.
Deputy county attorney Amanda Claerhout said the confrontation began inside the store when Arline became upset that the victim truck driver from Texas was taking too long to fuel up his rig. She said the defendant followed the other driver outside when the manager of the business asked them to exit the store.
Claerhout said the verbal argument escalated outside and became physical when Arline slashed the victim. She said The 50-year old victim required multiple stitches to close a deep wound.
Arline is eligible for probation but could get up to five years in prison when sentenced by Judge Lee Jantzen on Jan. 22.
Dave Hawkins
